tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69758168561805912442024-03-14T14:50:25.318-04:00A Day in the Life of KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-79723236660795362792016-11-08T19:52:00.001-05:002016-11-08T19:52:50.324-05:00NaBloPoMo - Day 8I have decided, for the sake of my sanity, that I'm going to channel surf between the hockey game and the election coverage. I'm not sure that I can take the stress of slowly watching the results come in without any break.<br />
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It seems like the whole internet is stressed out! You can feel it all over every social media site. The funny thing is that I'm noticing that most posts aren't even arguing over who's better now; they're mostly just saying to go out and vote and finish this.<br />
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I think that we're all just exhausted and want it to be over regardless of where the chips may fall.<br />
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Probably, by the end of the night, this is what I'll be doing:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDxex5W3GvI/WCJyo96BYjI/AAAAAAAABZs/CRUcATKIDh4AUbA6Wy7hjkw4gFnCIdf4ACLcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_131247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDxex5W3GvI/WCJyo96BYjI/AAAAAAAABZs/CRUcATKIDh4AUbA6Wy7hjkw4gFnCIdf4ACLcB/s320/IMG_20161105_131247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't look!</td></tr>
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There may be some wine involved too.....<br />
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What am I thankful for today? I'm thankful that my beloved Habs are going to beat the Boston Bruins tonight (fingers crossed!)<br />
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-62514418494344801282016-11-07T16:12:00.000-05:002016-11-07T16:12:32.256-05:00Back on the horse NaBloPoMo - Day 7Oops, I missed Day 6 of the challenge! My daughter was on the computer for most of the day yesterday working on a school project and, by the time she got off, it was supper time. It was only as I was going to bed that I realized that I had ended up missing yesterday's post.<br />
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I guess that I'll just get back on the horse today. I'm trying hard not to put a lot of pressure on myself here and just have fun so I'm not going to beat myself up too badly.<br />
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This weekend was really pretty relaxed. With the exception of grocery shopping and some laundry, I took it easy after the super-busy workweek that I had just finished. <br />
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I made my first apple sauce of the season yesterday (yeah, I'm a bit behind) which always makes me happy and supper was a shepherd's pie. This is the time of year when I get into all of the wonderful comfort foods that are just too much effort in the hot weather. Yes, I should have taken a picture of that wonderful dinner for this post but we were just too eager to dig in to think of it! The empty pan just doesn't look as nice ;)<br />
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My coworkers and I were talking about how stressed everyone is about the US election. We're in Canada yet I'm pretty sure that most of us will be watching the coverage tomorrow night and I NEVER watch American election night coverage. Heck, I have a hard enough time watching Canadian election results slowly roll in yet I know that I'll be glued to my screen tomorrow night. I bet that a lot of non-Americans will be doing the same.<br />
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I do not envy my friends to the south this year. It has been a rough one.........<br />
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What am I grateful for today? I am proudly, gratefully, Canadian with a kick-ass Prime Minister.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M86NuPhduCw/WCDtx6cxsAI/AAAAAAAABZc/FGVPGfgwGBI66KTcSAT8YDUovT1fw1KmACLcB/s1600/Canadian%2BFood%2BChain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M86NuPhduCw/WCDtx6cxsAI/AAAAAAAABZc/FGVPGfgwGBI66KTcSAT8YDUovT1fw1KmACLcB/s320/Canadian%2BFood%2BChain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's some Canadian humour for you :)</td></tr>
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-70631109335027659002016-11-05T09:27:00.000-04:002016-11-05T09:27:10.009-04:00It doesn't pay to brag.... NaBloPoMo - Day 5Montreal is definitely a hockey town. We are passionate about the game and there are many who take every win (and loss) like a personal triumph (or tragedy). Walk into any office, school or bar and you are guaranteed to hear hockey talk.<br />
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I enjoy hockey and do tend to follow along with the news but I'm not so fanatical as to know every statistic or lose my mind over it. That said, the Montreal Canadiens (our beloved Habs) have been on a winning streak since the start of the season and I had planned a post today to do a bit of bragging but then......<br />
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..... last night happened. We lost 10 - 0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets! That wasn't just a loss, it was a humiliation. They totally handed the boys their asses! Our star goal tender, cutie Carey Price, was not in nets last night and the team just didn't have his replacement's (Al Montoya) back. You could see poor Carey pacing off-ice like a caged tiger, just wanting to get in there and help. I don't know what the coaches were thinking.<br />
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It was a massacre, I tell ya!<br />
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So much for my bragging blog post........<br />
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Like any true fan, though, one loss will not deter me; not even one as monumental as that one. I still love "les boys" of the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge (blue, white and red) and will be in front of my TV to cheer them on tonight.<br />
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This is what most fans were saying last night though:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BeYnpM7U8MM/WB3dC6S3tfI/AAAAAAAABZI/RsjcgD8SzzwiY5hlSlOunCfxY2V3CYiVQCLcB/s1600/14980713_1314005265277039_5768884063853630268_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BeYnpM7U8MM/WB3dC6S3tfI/AAAAAAAABZI/RsjcgD8SzzwiY5hlSlOunCfxY2V3CYiVQCLcB/s320/14980713_1314005265277039_5768884063853630268_n.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gohabsgo/" target="_blank">GoHabsGo</a> Facebook page</td></tr>
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What am I thankful for today? A rainy day that gives me a good excuse to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.<br />
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Kathy<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-6943968500856231842016-11-04T19:02:00.001-04:002016-11-04T19:02:23.961-04:00Cut the drama lady! NaBloPoMo - Day 4There is a lady whose blog I read on and off and who I follow on Facebook. She blogs without using her real name or those of her family so is fairly free to talk as she pleases. This week, she has been talking about the visit of a family member who she refers to as the "drama llama" for all of the drama and stress that she brings with her. This woman, apparently, just winds everyone up.<br />
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I try really hard to not give advice to people who are facing issues in their life because, let's face it, my life isn't a stellar example of perfection. That being said, I wish that I could take her aside and tell her to distance herself from toxic people - related or not. This woman is a toxic influence in her life and she owes it to herself to not allow this.<br />
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I did this with my own mother. In the last seven or eight years or so before she died last year, I distanced myself from her as much as possible. I only laid eyes on her a few times a year and, even then, only for a couple of hours or so. <br />
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It was liberating! <br />
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There wasn't anybody putting down my feelings. There wasn't anybody gossiping about me to anybody who would listen. Best of all? My kids, for the most part, didn't have her toxic effect in their lives. <br />
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Nobody looks at my kids when they express feelings that are different and tells them "don't be so silly". Nobody has taught them that it's better to be quiet than to risk being shot down for their opinion. Nobody has destroyed their self-esteem.<br />
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I don't claim to be a perfect parent but my greatest hope is that my kids won't grow up to call me a toxic influence on their lives.<br />
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I wondered if I would have regrets about the distance that I put between her and I once she was gone but I don't. I did what was best for my own sanity and for my kids' well being. No regrets there.<br />
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If I felt comfortable advising my bloggy friend, I would tell her that nobody has the right to make her life miserable; that she has the right to say "enough!". Maybe she'll eventually reach that conclusion herself or perhaps she'll find a better way to deal with her drama llama. Either way, I look forward to applauding when she finds her way.<br />
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What am I thankful for today? The fact that I was able to leave work at a normal time today after yesterday's very long day. C'est le weekend!<br />
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-68813098270384725582016-11-03T21:19:00.000-04:002016-11-03T21:19:40.635-04:00Throwback Thursday NaBloPoMo - Day 3I had a VERY long day at work today; not leaving until 7:40. It was an eleven hour workday for me. Yes, I did order out food for supper and, yes, I do intend to hand the receipt for that meal to the boss tomorrow. I definitely deserve it.<br />
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I don't have the energy or brainpower left for a really proper post so how about a Throwback Thursday pic?<br />
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This is one of my favourite pictures of me with my lovely late sister-in-law Kim. It was a time before I had kids. I was much younger than I am now and sitting on a terrasse in Old Montreal with my SIL drinking sangria was pretty much a perfect way of spending a summer afternoon.<br />
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She has been gone for almost fifteen years now and I still think of her often. She had a knack for bringing plenty of drama to our lives but she also brought a lot of love and so many laughs and good times.<br />
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What am I thankful for today? I'm a bit overloaded at work right now (hence the long day) but I am grateful to have that job. There are so many who don't have one or don't have a good one.<br />
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-19811375848157682932016-11-02T19:21:00.001-04:002016-11-02T19:21:38.432-04:00He's Out! NaBloPoMo Challenge - Day 2Well, I mentioned the other day that my son, Z, has moved out with his buddy. I have my misgivings about it starting with WHO he moved out with right up to the fact that I really want to see him go back to school but I have decided that, while I have made my misgivings known, I really have to step back and let him learn his own lessons. As a mother who wants him to do well, it's hard, but I have to do it.<br />
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He and M (his bud) took over M's brother's lease and moved in a few weeks ago. Between differing work schedules and other things going on, I only got to go see the place for the first time a couple of days ago. He was very proud to show it off and, believe me, I had to try hard to remember how proud I was of my first place. <br />
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It's a basement apartment so isn't the brightest but it is a good size and boy could it use maid service! It wasn't as bad as I had expected but those kitchen counters, among other things, needed a good wiping. That's what you get when you have two 18 year olds living together. Despite this, he is very proud of himself and I guess that I don't blame him. He does know how to clean though so I'm sure that he'll get the hang of keeping a place decent without me telling him to soon enough.<br />
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There is one more, temporary, roomate, though. M's brother has left his snake there for now while he gets settled in his new place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3n2OQJsPALQ/WBkoJq1Vl1I/AAAAAAAABYo/peCy39_i5RImzUe6-hvyXVDoOjfxJDolwCLcB/s1600/20161030_134441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3n2OQJsPALQ/WBkoJq1Vl1I/AAAAAAAABYo/peCy39_i5RImzUe6-hvyXVDoOjfxJDolwCLcB/s320/20161030_134441.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey lady, whatchu lookin' at?</td></tr>
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Thank goodness that thing was in an aquarium, behind glass...... ((shudder))<br />
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What am I thankful for today? My beautiful daughter who is sitting behind working on her project for school. I love how she has become so engaged in school!<br />
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-46088675286010500672016-11-01T19:13:00.000-04:002016-11-01T19:13:20.079-04:00Let's Get This Started! NaBloPoMo Challenge - Day 1A few years ago, I took part in the NaBloPoMo challenge. For those who haven't heard of it before, this takes place each November and, basically, it's a challenge to post on your blog every day for the entire month. You can use their prompts or you can write about whatever you wish. It was hard but I did it and felt great about it.<br />
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In my effort to get my blog going again, I have decided to take the challenge again. I don't intend to link up my posts to their site like I did last time since it goes against my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6975816856180591244#editor/target=post;postID=8805363701231043801;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=5;src=postname" target="_blank">new goals</a> for this blog but I'm still going to push myself.<br />
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Some posts will be shorter than others, and I fully intend to take advantage of a couple of Wordless Wednesdays, but I will be here. Okay, I hope that I will be here. No pressure Kathy!!<br />
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My hope is that this will exercise my writing muscles which have definitely shrunk a bit in the last year or so. I predict that I will use this as a bit of a diary at the end of each day talking about my day and, perhaps, things that I've seen in the news though I will try to stay away from politics. There is enough chatter about that online already! I'm not even American and I am so totally over this nasty election campaign.<br />
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What am I thankful for today? Given that it's the day after Halloween, let's keep it light and be thankful for the bowl of candy on my table that will keep me bouncing off the walls for a while ;)<br />
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KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-78251981725617811492016-10-29T10:28:00.000-04:002016-10-29T10:28:19.729-04:00Feeling like an adultI'm feeling very adult these days. How did that happen? Wasn't I a teenager just yesterday?<br />
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I had this very conversation with somebody recently. I hadn't seen her since we were kids. Her sister and I were in the same class together and were quite close when we were young. Sadly, the occasion of this little reunion wasn't a happy one; it was her father's funeral. Her mother was kind enough to come pay her respects when my mother died last year so I felt the need to repay that kindness when her husband passed away last month. <br />
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See? There I go being an adult. I hadn't seen this man in over thirty years although I do have very vivid memories of him from my childhood so my presence there certainly wouldn't have been expected.<br />
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D and I marvelled at how we are now the mothers of teenagers (turns out our daughters go to the same school, same grade and know each other!) but, on a lot of days we feel like kids ourselves. We agreed that this adulting gig is a tough one sometimes.<br />
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Another reason for feeling adult? My son turned 18 recently. I used to call him The Boy on this blog but that doesn't really fit anymore so let's make him Z now (first letter of his name). At the same time as he turned 18, he also moved out with a friend. Talk about a double whammy on his poor momma! I have reasons other than the fact that it makes me feel old to not like this move but I couldn't exactly stop him. I considered chaining him to my balcony and throwing him the occasional bread crust but I was advised that this may be a wee bit illegal. Damn......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll disown him if he introduces me to his new friend!</td></tr>
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I guess that another part of being an adult, and parent, is letting your kids make their own mistakes and learn from them. He knows that I will always be here for him and that my home is his home if he needs it. He would, of course, pay rent if he comes back without going back to school. I love him but I'm not stupid!<br />
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My daughter - let's call her E now instead of The Girl - is in her final year of high school (Grade 11 here) and it's all happening way too quickly for me. She is so excited to graduate and go on to bigger and better things when I just want her to stay young for a little while longer. She's talking about going into nursing and seems to know what she wants. Even if she's making me feel a bit old, I am so damned proud of who she is becoming. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUh0GMi_K8/WBSxmeaZT9I/AAAAAAAABYM/6_hubtFcqeUwO6QxGG3O9n5Zvi42v_2OwCEw/s1600/20160821_121726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUh0GMi_K8/WBSxmeaZT9I/AAAAAAAABYM/6_hubtFcqeUwO6QxGG3O9n5Zvi42v_2OwCEw/s320/20160821_121726.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who got herself another ear piercing!</td></tr>
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Time is flowing by far too quickly for my liking but I can't seem to stop it. I had no problem hitting forty but I get the feeling that hitting fifty in a few years is going to be a tough one. I could very well be a full-fledged empty nester by then. Someone please hold me....... adulting is indeed hard.<br />
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What am I thankful for today? The fact that I am still here to see these amazing kids become amazing adults.<br />
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Kathy<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-38263825511545386452016-10-09T16:08:00.004-04:002016-10-09T16:08:54.508-04:00So Much NegativityHave you noticed how negative the vibe on social media is these days?<br />
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I often walk away from Facebook and Twitter shaking my head or, in some cases, downright angry.<br />
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Whether the viscious presidential campaign in the US is to blame or is just a symptom of it, I'm not sure. Chicken vs egg anyone? People are sniping at each other; calling those who don't agree with their worldview morons, idiots or worse. It's gotten to a point where, if I dare to express my opinion on anything, I can expect somebody to tell me how stupid I am.<br />
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It seems that freedom of speech only applies to those who agree with us.<br />
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I made a comment on a blog the other day that, while respectful, disagreed with the blogger's point and got slammed by other commenters for it. I wasn't at all insulting or dismissive. I even praised the fact that she was seeing progress in her situation. Imagine if I had been insulting! <br />
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I thought that blogs were a place where discussions happened; where opinions could be shared. If you are not a "yes-man/woman" and give gold stars to the speaker these days, you are the enemy who must be crushed. It's almost come to a point where I'm afraid to express anything online. <br />
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How did we all get so touchy? How did this toxic climate come into being?<br />
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Sometimes, I get the feeling that the anonymity of the internet deserves a big part of the blame. We sit in front of our computer and type in words without ever seeing the effect those words have. We'll say things online that we would probably never say to a person's face. It gives us a boldness that a lot of us would not have in a "live" situation. Sadly, there are many who use that boldness in the worst possible way. They have knee-jerk reactions and spew those reactions for all to see before getting the facts or taking the time to ponder the situation.<br />
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One example of that is a post on Facebook today. Somebody I know posted news of a proposed law that she was in favour of being voted down in the House of Commons. She said that it's "very discouraging to see so many uneducated representatives". That law was nixed by a vote of 198 votes to 84. So 198 people who voted against what you wanted (vs 84 who agreed with you) are "uneducated" for not having done what you wanted? Really? Here's what I want to know. Why did they vote against it? Was there a certain part of it that was disagreeable so they decided to scrap it? Was it a badly written law that left too many loopholes? If she had told us why they voted against it and then provided reasoned arguments against their thinking, I would have respected that so much more. Instead, she just called them "uneducated" and walked away.<br />
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Sadly, this has become all too common. We're all entitled to our own opinions and I would never take that away from anybody but, unfortunately, too many people are expressing themselves in such negative, abusive ways these days that it's getting depressing.<br />
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I think that I'll go watch some cat videos on Youtube now. Maybe that will make me feel better.<br />
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What am I thankful for today? Cat videos, yes, definitely cat videos ;)<br />
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Kathy<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-2405985877589512082016-10-08T07:33:00.000-04:002016-10-08T07:33:07.522-04:00Writing LettersI have been following Chantelle of the blog <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a> for a little while now. She posts the most amazing pictures and hosts the Photo a Day Challenge on Instagram. <br />
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She also started something called the Oh So Happy Mail Project which matches people up with pen pals. This was the most fantastic idea!<br />
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I had a friend, as a teenager, who lived on the other side of the country and we wrote back and forth for a number of years. Since then, though, letter writing has not been a big part of my life. Sure, there is the occasional email to friends and family but, in this day of instant communication via text, Facebook, etc, even emailed letters don't happen so much anymore.<br />
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There were five official rounds (they're taking a break for a while) and I joined in Round 3. I've had mixed luck with these official rounds but I have also met new people on their web page. It has been so much fun putting together small (postage-friendly) packages and getting to know new people. We send letters, post cards, stickers, tea and whatever else tickles our fancy.<br />
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I have pen pals in Australia (where Chantelle is based), Scotland, England and the US. It is so cool to open my mailbox with anticipation! Canada Post has actually been getting money from me for the first time in years since I rarely mailed anything before this. They should send Chantelle a thank you letter ;)<br />
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I ordered a book called Snail Mail by Michelle MacKintosh to get some ideas and found it to be a really interesting book. It not only gives you letter writing ideas but also talks about the art of letter writing itself. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmRuDFUDB40/V_jYZ7MWWLI/AAAAAAAABXs/JjCNtMc7ojUnMPE0XzeUsMn_qCyNHFDCgCLcB/s1600/51lge1f4UKL._SX378_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmRuDFUDB40/V_jYZ7MWWLI/AAAAAAAABXs/JjCNtMc7ojUnMPE0XzeUsMn_qCyNHFDCgCLcB/s320/51lge1f4UKL._SX378_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Snail-Mail-Rediscovering-Handmade-Correspondence/dp/1742708773/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475925987&sr=8-1&keywords=snail+mail" target="_blank">(bought on Amazon)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What am I thankful for today? Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving so I have a three day weekend during which I will read, eat, sleep and generally relax. It is time to treasure.<br />
<br />
Kathy<br />
<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-44664391846071310472016-10-07T08:04:00.000-04:002016-10-07T08:04:10.532-04:00The Power of Words<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I wrote this post late last year and, somehow, never ended up publishing it. A couple of things it references are out-of-date now but the message is still relevant especially with an American presidential candidate unashamedly running around insulting women for their looks.<br />
<br />
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I read a story on <a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/fat-shaming-cards-handed-out-on-london-subway/" target="_blank">Scary Mommy</a> about a new thing happening in
London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a group of “overweight haters”
handing people in the subway cards with fat shaming notes on them before
scurrying off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the fuck?!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t use much profanity on my blog to keep
it friendly for everyone but it’s totally justified in this case so, again…..</div>
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<br /></div>
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What the fuck?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
do I even start?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you know someone well and are concerned for their health,
I can understand sitting down with them and engaging in a caring, respectful
dialogue, offering whatever support and assistance they may require in their
journey towards health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a fan of
talking about my health with anyone but I could appreciate such good
intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fat shaming a stranger who
you know absolutely nothing about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never
a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind your own damned
business!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The way they are approaching their mission too is particularly
heinous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of having the guts to
walk up to someone and look them in the eye as they insult them, they are
scurrying past these people and thrusting cards in their laps, not stopping to
see the shock, anger and upset that they leave in their wake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not talking about ten year old
schoolyard bullies here; we’re talking about grown-ass adults!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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This brings me to my next point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As adults, those of us who are overweight
know perfectly well that we are overweight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We don’t need to be told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really,
we don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every person who is overweight
is that way for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s a
medical condition, perhaps it’s emotional problems, perhaps it’s bad genes,
perhaps it’s bad habits learned over time and perhaps it’s a combination of
these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are those who are
trying hard to change their situation and there are those who have given up
trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each and every one of us has a
story and no stranger in the subway can possibly guess at what that story is.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Whether we are trying to change or not, we have every right
to love ourselves at whatever stage we find ourselves at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each and every one of us – fat, thin or in
between – has beauty inside and out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nobody…. I repeat…. NOBODY has the right to take that away from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how those assholes in the London
subway would feel if someone treated them or their mothers, brothers or cousins
with such disrespect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The other day, somebody on Facebook made a joke about
wanting to tell a woman he knows that her face looks like Adele’s but was worried
she might think he was accusing her of being fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blasted him for it (perhaps a tad harshly,
I admit) and he came back saying that he didn’t think of her as fat but there
are women who do think it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied to
him that I recognized that he was trying to be amusing but that repeating such
trash-talk only gave it a voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
far better to drown it in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the next day, he had removed the post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know if it’s because he thought this crazy troll bitch (me!) was going to
keep on him or if he thought about what I said and agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kind of hope it’s the latter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would mean that one more person has put
some thought into this subject.</div>
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<br />
Amy Schumer posted a (mostly) nude picture of herself this week using
the words that so many of us say to ourselves on a regular basis - some
negative, some positive - but every one of them powerful. It rather sums up the struggle that each and every one of us has.<br />
</div>
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I rarely get up on a soapbox for a rant on this blog since
that’s not usually the vibe that I’m going for but this subject is a worthy
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While repeating trash gives it a
voice, the same can be said for repeating a positive message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Repetition of a positive message of love and respect – both
of self and each other – can only give it power.<br />
<br />
Kathy<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-88053637012310438012016-10-02T12:53:00.000-04:002016-10-02T12:53:04.443-04:00My Thoughts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfPZXwiVU7U/V_E7MP5osgI/AAAAAAAABXI/STwh7iPspQ0rs1t8xM8PToJvkbyoEQmdQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfPZXwiVU7U/V_E7MP5osgI/AAAAAAAABXI/STwh7iPspQ0rs1t8xM8PToJvkbyoEQmdQCLcB/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe she just turned 16?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been almost a year since I posted here. <br />
<br />
How is that possible? How can I have stayed away from something that I enjoy so much?<br />
<br />
I have been thinking about it a lot lately. My thoughts? I seem to do well for a while but then, somehow, I get all blocked up. Even taking part in workshops where there are prompts don't seem to help much. <br />
<br />
In trying to figure out why that happens to me, I have come to the conclusion that I put way too much pressure on myself. When I publish a post and announce it on my various media platforms, I feel pressure to entertain, to inform and to please my readers. Here I am inviting people to come read what I wrote so I better not disappoint them! This pressure builds up and creates huge anxiety in me. This continues to the point where I freeze up and the words stop flowing.<br />
<br />
The thing is, I truly miss expressing myself this way. I miss putting words on my screen and flinging them out there. I miss expressing myself - for better or worse. <br />
<br />
The solution? I'm going to stop putting that pressure on myself. I'm not going to advertise my posts all over the place and linking up to other sites. I'm going to come here to express my thoughts and talk about my life as if nobody is watching. <br />
<br />
Will this work for me? Who the heck knows? <br />
<br />
Is it worth trying? Hell yes!<br />
<br />
Of course, those who are still subscribed to my blog may just come by for a visit and a big part of me really hopes that they do because I miss that interaction. The difference now is that, while I hope that they still find me interesting, I am not going to stress over it. Those who are my tribe will stick around and say hi. I'm sure that the others have plenty of other places that entertain them more and that's okay.<br />
<br />
I also want to practice a bit of conscious gratefullness to keep myself in a positive place so I will start right now:<br />
<br />
What am I thankful for today? I am grateful to have the freedom and ability to express myself in the way that suits me best. There are so many who don't have that.<br />
<br />
KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-50631401680563069172015-11-26T08:21:00.000-05:002015-11-26T08:21:57.336-05:00Things to be thankful for - everyday edition<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For this
week’s Writers’ Workshop, there were a couple of Thanksgiving themed prompts
since it is Thanksgiving in the States this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canadian Thanksgiving was last month but I
figure that there is no expiration date on being thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, it’s something we should
remember to do all year round.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So here we
go!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a colour
you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I think that
I have to go with green here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
gaudy; a nice deep dark green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
sure how we’re supposed to be thankful for a colour but it’s my favourite and I
have the eyesight to be able to see it……… so, yeah, I’m grateful.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Something
your spouse does that you are thankful for</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well, I don’t
have a spouse but I have a pretty decent ex-husband who is there for our kids
and almost always willing to help me out when I need a bit of muscle for
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that I’m pretty lucky
in that respect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Something
that your kids do that you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I’ve raised
my kids to understand that every member of a household needs to do their part
in keeping that household running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
means that my kids do their chores with little prompting or grumbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have a full time job outside of the
home, this makes my life so much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It really makes me appreciate having teens who are old enough to
contribute like that.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-A food you
are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Frankly, I’m
grateful that I can afford to keep us pretty well-fed when so many families
struggle so I guess that I’m thankful for all food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Specific food though?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm….. chocolate is pretty high on my
list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and bacon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bacon makes everything better!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-What recent
good news are you thankful for?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nothing
monumentally good or bad has happened recently but I did chat with my
sister-in-law the other day and we’ve made plans to see each other this
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it’s been a while since
we’ve seen each other, I’d call this good news that I’m very glad to hear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a drink
you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
non-alcoholic category, that would be tea with Diet Coke a close second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Booze? I do love a good glass (or two or
three) of wine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a
restaurant you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right now,
that would be McDonalds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave The
Boy a job this summer (which he still has) which has (mostly) gotten his grubby
hands out of my wallet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Talk about an
animal you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Aardvarks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, no, just kidding, lol!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real answer would be my cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is so attached to us that she’s
practically a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She adores the kids
and lands on their laps the second they sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s just a little thing but is hard to move
once she settles in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ2GIrmtIYg/VlYFwfAV0YI/AAAAAAAABWA/jLyTm4TeyUE/s1600/IMG_20150520_181134_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ2GIrmtIYg/VlYFwfAV0YI/AAAAAAAABWA/jLyTm4TeyUE/s200/IMG_20150520_181134_resized_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a beauty
product you are thankful for.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I love my
Olay facial lotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t use it so
much in the hot weather since I’m usually sweaty anyway but, as soon as the
cooler weather hits, I use it every day religiously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If good old Oil of Olay was good enough for
my grandmother, it’s good enough for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a
cleaning product you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A cleaning
product?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, I can’t be thankful for anything that
has to do with chores.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-What social
media platform are you thankful for?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hmmm….. I
have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Facebook these days and haven’t
been on Pinterest much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say
that I probably spend most of my time on Instagram these days and use Twitter
to stay up to date with my favourite TV shows so I guess it’s a tie between
those two for my gratefulness lately.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Tell us why
you are thankful for the last person who texted you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As I write
this, the last person who texted me was one of my co-workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a good job but not what you would call
an exciting career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my co-workers
who make hauling my ass out of bed in the morning worthwhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We work together like a well-oiled machine
AND we genuinely like each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
a hard combination to find.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name a candy
you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I love
Rockets!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they went on sale after Halloween,
I went and bought myself a big-ass bag of them which I’m still enjoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you in the States, you call them
Smarties; our Smarties are more like M&M’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lECbayKVIpc/VlYEjfTELLI/AAAAAAAABV4/BhdJUstnC0k/s1600/candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lECbayKVIpc/VlYEjfTELLI/AAAAAAAABV4/BhdJUstnC0k/s200/candy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my American friends :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Name an app
on your phone that you are thankful for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Referring to
my answer above, I probably use Instagram and Twitter the most. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-What are you
looking forward to that you are thankful for?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I’m looking
forward to spending time with family at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christmas lights, good food and good
company light up those short winter days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></span></center>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kathy </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-76228313003443616582015-11-19T07:55:00.000-05:002015-11-19T07:55:56.092-05:00Stain ---- for the Writer's Workshop<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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When I saw the writing prompt telling us to write a post
using the word stain, somehow my thoughts went to dark things like stains on my
soul and stains on society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
bit disturbing considering how boring I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Believe me; I don’t do anything that’s exciting enough to leave stains
on my soul!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for society, perhaps the
events last week in Paris are responsible for those thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, I really want to get away from
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t need my blog to add to
all of the commentary that’s already floating around the internet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is another sort of stain that plagues my life that
would be far better blog material; the kind of stains that I’m hoping I’m not
alone in collecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, I’m
talking about stains on my shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
forever saying “oh geez, you can’t take me anywhere” because I’m always wiping
some spill or another from my cleavage.<br />
<br />
Somebody please tell me I'm not alone in this....... please....... </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I fully admit that I’m a clutz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trip over my own feet regularly, can’t
carry more than two or three things without dropping something or running into
someone and I definitely can’t eat anything with a sauce without dripping it
down my front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even something “loose”
like rice, if I put a decent amount on my fork, will end up in my bra if my
shirt is low-cut enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my kids witness this, they are so used to it that they
just roll their eyes and keep on eating their meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sight of their mother with gravy
splatters on her boobs doesn’t even elicit a comment anymore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a number of shirts in my only-wear-at-home pile, not
because they don’t fit well anymore or they are worn out but because they have
one too many stains on them to be decent enough for public viewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always know that it’s time to go shopping
when that pile gets bigger than my decent-enough-for-public-viewing pile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I own my clutziness but I’m convinced that the stains are my
boobs’ fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those suckers are big and
catch everything that comes their way kind of like those big blow-up things
that stunt men land on when they jump off buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a cross that all big boobed women have
to bear…..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae-41XwrGY0/VkyPPGSu44I/AAAAAAAABVo/7pw-BqvSI-E/s1600/2015-11-18%2B06.28.48_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae-41XwrGY0/VkyPPGSu44I/AAAAAAAABVo/7pw-BqvSI-E/s320/2015-11-18%2B06.28.48_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, I can't even brush my teeth without dribbling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-68709419080412430062015-11-05T15:19:00.000-05:002015-11-05T15:19:49.593-05:00Fall - A Ten Line Post for the Writers' Workshop<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I am so happy that it’s fall.</div>
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No more heat and humidity to make me sweat with every
movement.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My window is open a crack at night and I have an extra
blanket on my bed to snuggle under.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Halloween has passed with all of those wonderful costumes to
look at and candy to eat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Pumpkin chai latté – enough said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Comfort foods like soup, chili and stews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Break out that crock pot!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBUe6O22YBM/VjuGNInHfUI/AAAAAAAABVY/ORn2QBVdZcI/s1600/20151031_165012_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBUe6O22YBM/VjuGNInHfUI/AAAAAAAABVY/ORn2QBVdZcI/s320/20151031_165012_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big pot of chili that disappeared very quickly!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I can make use of all of my scarves now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to have a bit of an addiction to
adding to my collection; send help!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We just booked our Christmas party for work and I have
ordered my kids to put together their lists.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In case the last line didn’t remind you, we’re seven weeks
away from Christmas! (you’re welcome)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy</div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-23241172313446590972015-10-21T08:52:00.000-04:002015-10-21T08:52:03.380-04:00A Good Week<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This is truly a good week to be a Canadian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Toronto Blue Jays are in the finals for the first time
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<br /></div>
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The Montreal Canadiens have won their first seven games of
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logo colours). </div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been a long campaign during which Mr. Harper showed
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Of course, it remains to be seen whether he can keep all of
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The fact that he is also a Montreal Canadiens fan is just
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9ZlNDFTnGA/VieKGcbGW4I/AAAAAAAABVI/lvc3tzgdRmY/s1600/FB_IMG_1445431376771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9ZlNDFTnGA/VieKGcbGW4I/AAAAAAAABVI/lvc3tzgdRmY/s320/FB_IMG_1445431376771.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(source: Montreal Gazette)</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
aka Proud Montrealer/Quebecer/Canadian </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-84296291622345582342015-09-23T20:25:00.000-04:002015-09-23T20:25:55.454-04:00Eight lines for the Writer's WorkshopA few days ago, our very own Mama Kat, whose Writer's Workshop this is linked up to, posted the pic below on Instagram announcing that she is now a great-aunt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ2RxSKLTXs/VgK27SHvgJI/AAAAAAAABUY/lNz4sndl_Cc/s1600/Screenshot_2015-09-23-10-16-15_resized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ2RxSKLTXs/VgK27SHvgJI/AAAAAAAABUY/lNz4sndl_Cc/s320/Screenshot_2015-09-23-10-16-15_resized.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/79YRdHNYMs/" target="_blank">(source)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My first thought was "she can't possibly be old enough to be a great-aunt; she's younger than me!"<br />
<br />
Then I stopped to think about it.<br />
<br />
I have a 23 year old niece who (obviously) is of child-bearing age......<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNqAl4QdHXw/VgNCOIZOBfI/AAAAAAAABUo/31CjM2B-shA/s1600/326995_10150552237518357_1964634325_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNqAl4QdHXw/VgNCOIZOBfI/AAAAAAAABUo/31CjM2B-shA/s320/326995_10150552237518357_1964634325_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two who will one day make me a great-aunt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And a 25 year old nephew who (obviously) could get someone of child-bearing age pregnant..... <br />
<br />
OMG I AM OLD ENOUGH TO BE A GREAT-AUNT!<br />
<br />
Not that either of them is planning anything...........that I know of.<br />
<br />
Somebody please get me a freaking drink!<br />
<br />
Kathy <br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-74297843653284512082015-09-22T07:48:00.000-04:002015-09-22T07:48:14.178-04:00Ready for a new season<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I am absolutely more than ready for the change of
seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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First of all, the heat of summer can just bite me! I hate
being sweaty and become a very cranky lady sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been having a bit of an “Indian” summer
here and I’ve been cursing the thermostat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean, really, 29 degrees Celsius on the eighteenth of September! It
crazy, I tell you!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thankfully it’s
gotten better since then)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Also, this summer has been a really weird couple of
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with my mother’s
death at the end of June and the fallout from that and continued at work with
my coworker fighting cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went
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<br /></div>
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Sadly, he lost his battle with the disease last weekend
leaving the entire office in a very odd state all last week; between shock,
sadness, fond reminiscing and looking forward to celebrating his life with an
“Irish wake” at his favourite bar on Friday night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXkdvftOr58/VgBoa0HoCZI/AAAAAAAABUI/92VAW2f8HF4/s1600/Bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXkdvftOr58/VgBoa0HoCZI/AAAAAAAABUI/92VAW2f8HF4/s320/Bill.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP my friend</td></tr>
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So, yes, my summer season has been bookended by two deaths
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</span>Is it any wonder that I’m glad it’s over?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my two weeks of vacation came at the end of August, I
literally turned myself off and did nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, not nothing, but close to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In two weeks, I read seven books, played endlessly on my iPad, went to
lunch, did a bit of shopping and made sure the kids had binders and pens to
start school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My to-do list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t even get touched!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many things that should have been
done but I didn’t bother with them and I don’t feel the least bit guilty about
it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got back to work, all of my coworkers commented on
how well-rested I looked and they were right; I was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am looking forward; as they say, “onward and
upward”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ask me who “they” are cuz
I’ve got no clue but “they” have the right attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring on the good health, cooler
weather, my favourite scarves, my pumpkin chai latté and comforting crockpot
dinners!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s not too much to ask for, right?<br />
<br />
Kathy </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-33197626950044960622015-08-06T06:29:00.000-04:002015-08-06T06:29:34.858-04:00Impulsive<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi5RgMgwLWg/VcIS5MI1sMI/AAAAAAAABS4/_uATOtjqiGs/s1600/impulsive.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi5RgMgwLWg/VcIS5MI1sMI/AAAAAAAABS4/_uATOtjqiGs/s320/impulsive.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplystephen.ca/a-four-step-guide-to-curb-your-impulse" target="_blank">(Source)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Above, you see the definition of the word impulsive. That pretty much fits...... <br />
<br />
I can be a very impulsive person
when it comes to spending money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully, I’ve managed to get my spending under control to the point
that my impulsiveness doesn’t surpass my budget anymore but parting me with my
spending money is not hard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Those sale displays right where I
walk into the grocery store stop me every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Never mind that, most of the time, they contain nothing that I NEED;
just what I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oooh, we haven’t had
that in a while”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider me sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rarely take my teens grocery shopping with
me anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m bad enough on my own
without them popping up next to me with Nutella/Gatorade/cake mix/ice
cream/fill-in-the-blank-here saying “Mom, please!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, twist my rubber arm kid!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s not just the grocery store
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am almost physically incapable
of walking past the book store without stopping to see what’s new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking out of the store without a new book
in my bag is a massive feat of self-control which I rarely accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids laugh at me when I decide to stand
strong and go by without going in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
literally go by with my gaze averted chanting “I will not go in, I will not go
in…….” because I know that if I do go in, I’m a goner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ve gone into places like the
grocery store and Walmart with the best of intentions and even a list to stick
to but I never quite manage it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
always something on sale or cleverly placed at the end of an aisle that catches
my eye and, before you know it, it’s in my cart as if by magic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m the same way with big-ticket
items too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I decide that I want/need
it and I have the (“extra”) money, that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not one of those people who spend ages comparison shopping, reading
endless reviews, watching the flyers for impending sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, once I decide I want something, I will go
online to see where it is available, read a few reviews just to be sure and
then off I go to make my purchase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are no weeks or months of agonizing over it for this girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That’s how I ended up with my new
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a tax refund burning a hole
in my pocket just when the new Samsung Galaxy S6 came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reviews were good and I REALLY wanted
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very impulsive of me but I
don’t regret it one little bit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That’s one thing that I’ve been
lucky with so far; most of my impulse purchases – big and small – tend to work
out well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought tends to be the
best call for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only when I start
second-guessing myself that I mess it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe, sometimes, the impulsive urge is just our intuition kicking in
and saying “Yes, that’s the right choice” and we just need to trust it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that’s my theory and I’m sticking to
it!<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
Kathy </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-9095817203079805962015-08-05T11:20:00.000-04:002015-08-05T11:20:05.962-04:00My first Pour Your Heart out post<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I wrote a <a href="http://adayinthelifeofkat.blogspot.ca/2015/07/a-post-in-fifteen-lines-for-mama-kats.html" target="_blank">post</a> recently about the death of my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, for my own well-being, I
had put a lot of distance between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
alluded to this in my post but didn’t go into the negative details of our
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I probably never will as this is not the kind of blog that I
want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody comes here to listen to that shit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still….. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A commenter pointed out the fact that, no matter our relationship
with our mothers, we never really “lose” them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are a part of us – good, bad or ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is very true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what we do with that influence that
matters.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because of her recent death and my having to deal with what
little estate there is, I guess that she has been on my mind far more than
usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, it doesn’t tend to be in a
nice way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrxr1kIX3ds/VcIpWM0UtFI/AAAAAAAABTI/zcakowpTQSo/s1600/20150727_205344-1-1_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrxr1kIX3ds/VcIpWM0UtFI/AAAAAAAABTI/zcakowpTQSo/s200/20150727_205344-1-1_resized.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother's cat making herself at home</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’ll be watching something on television and think “my
mother would hate this and call it crap” or I’ll be eating a meal and think “my
mother would complain about half of what’s in it”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time she comes to mind, it always seems
to be a negative thought and it makes me a little sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that she asked for it but it’s still
sad that she has left such a negative legacy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My uncle, her brother, wondered if she had some degree of
depression since it tends to run in that side of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at how she lived and her outward
attitude to things, he could be right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, my mother was never the type to admit something like
that, let alone seek help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it
could also be that she was just a negative, selfish person who had no regard
for how others felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that we’ll
just never know for sure which it is.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope that someday I’ll be able to look back and see the
good things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d really like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other people who knew her had nice things to
say and good memories so maybe there’s some hope for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For now, today is not that day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://thingsicantsay.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pouryourheart1.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Kathy </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-76014400976999061492015-07-30T06:45:00.000-04:002015-07-30T06:45:17.946-04:00A PoemOne of the prompts for Mama Kat's Writers Workshop this week is a poem using <a href="http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/iampoem.htm" target="_blank">this tool.</a><br />
<br />
I must say that I'm rather impressed. She said that this would be a great exercise for kids too and I quite agree.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7iyxYy7cmc/VbgVUjp0f9I/AAAAAAAABSk/T_q04a7lWDQ/s1600/Poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7iyxYy7cmc/VbgVUjp0f9I/AAAAAAAABSk/T_q04a7lWDQ/s640/Poem.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></span></center>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kathy </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-19981542478973972142015-07-10T10:06:00.002-04:002015-07-10T10:06:37.301-04:00Lost without it<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZoQFMzrEeM/VZ_REeLVg3I/AAAAAAAABR8/rpZvmDvJTQo/s1600/naked-smart-phone-addiction-dependency-confession-ecards-someecards-300x167.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZoQFMzrEeM/VZ_REeLVg3I/AAAAAAAABR8/rpZvmDvJTQo/s1600/naked-smart-phone-addiction-dependency-confession-ecards-someecards-300x167.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fscinteractive.com/2013/10/10/13-places-you-need-to-unplug/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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I recently had another lesson in just how much we have all
come to depend on our cell phones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know about you but my phone seems to have become an extension to my arm –
it’s always there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My teenagers are just
as bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every conversation with them
these days seems to happen by text.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of weeks ago, I was at a local shopping centre with
my uncle and he was waiting at a cash register to pay for a purchase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to go to the washroom so he said to
go ahead and he’d catch up to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds simple, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, when I came out of the washroom, he was nowhere to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he’s from out of town and didn’t know
the shopping centre well, he ended up wandering in the wrong direction.</div>
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<br /></div>
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No problem; I just whipped out my trusty phone and then…….
froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, he’s a little bit out of
the loop technologically and doesn’t carry a phone in his pocket.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must have looked like a deer in the headlights standing
there with a phone in my hand with no clue what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time that I went anywhere
with someone who doesn’t have a phone in their pocket?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had dropped me off at the door earlier and
then parked the car so I didn’t even know where the car was to go meet him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t had a problem like this in YEARS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the day, when you were temporarily
separating from someone in a public place, you would synchronize your watches
and decide that you would meet in a certain place at a certain time and you
made sure that you were there because there was no way to let the person know
where you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowadays you both go do
your thing and then call each other on the trusty cell phone to decide where to
meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even own a watch anymore!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This story did have a happy ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mall wasn’t a big one and I managed to
find my uncle without calling in a search party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t so long ago that the thought of having a phone in
your pocket so that you could be constantly in touch with people was unheard of
but now we take it for granted so much that someone without a phone in their
pocket is the odd one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Don’t worry Uncle K, you may be the odd one but we love you
anyway.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-45297098790841505532015-07-02T09:08:00.000-04:002015-07-02T09:08:58.823-04:00A post in fifteen lines for Mama Kat's WorkshopMy mother died just over a week ago.<br />
<br />
I won't say that we had a "complicated" relationship because, honestly, there really wasn't much of a relationship.<br />
<br />
Still...... the way she lived the last few years was sad.<br />
<br />
The way she died - alone - was sad.<br />
<br />
I have plenty to be bitter about and could be very negative.<br />
<br />
I chose instead to let go and walk away; it saved my sanity (mostly anyway).<br />
<br />
Still...... I am now dealing with the aftermath of a life not well-lived.<br />
<br />
There are debts and dirt to deal with.<br />
<br />
No assets except for her cat which is living under my daughter's bed at the moment.<br />
<br />
I didn't even know the cat's name for sure until we found the vet records.<br />
<br />
How damned sad is that?<br />
<br />
The outpouring of sympathy and condolences from friends and acquaintances has been so nice <br />
<br />
Most of the well-wishers don't realize the emotional distance between us and I, mostly, keep it to myself<br />
<br />
It's easier to just say "Thank you"<br />
<br />
So........ thank you.<br />
<br />
KathyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-88871705908577500092015-06-11T06:07:00.000-04:002015-06-11T06:07:00.393-04:00Book Review: Fat Girl Walking<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCU_V_7x_OQ/VXh10xzPcxI/AAAAAAAABRU/9NDrZVl929c/s1600/y450-293.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCU_V_7x_OQ/VXh10xzPcxI/AAAAAAAABRU/9NDrZVl929c/s320/y450-293.png" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend I read Fat Girl Walking by Brittany
Gibbons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been following Brittany
through her <a href="http://brittanyherself.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brittanyherself" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://i.instagram.com/brittanyherself/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for a while now and have admired her
boldness, confidence and her beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
used to think “wow, she must have had quite some upbringing to have such
confidence and self-esteem” because, really, that’s something that most women
have trouble with regardless of their dress size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, guess what; she has those issues too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’d of thunk it?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d never know it, looking at her bikini
pics on Instagram, but she has all of the same self-esteem and insecurity
issues that I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has had the same
issues with clothing, taunting, shaming; been treated poorly by guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, the things that she went through with
teenaged boys are the same things that I’ve experienced with grown men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they ever grow up?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This lady is just like me, you and every other woman who has
ever looked at her body and said “Ugh!” yet, she has found way to live with
this and still shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she wasn’t such
a bad lesbian (you gotta read the book), I’d be in love with her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The difference between Brittany and me is that she has found
a way to look past her own insecurities and see herself in a positive
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what this book is about;
her journey to seeing herself in a good way and giving herself permission to
shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try but tend to fall short,
more often than not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is definitely
an inspiration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone who has struggled with their weight throughout their
life will find themselves nodding at so much of what she says and, hopefully,
will walk away with a new perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We owe it to our daughters to obliterate the current harsh language that we use to describe ourselves and, perhaps, open the discussion wherever we go about what real beauty is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<center>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" /></a></span></center>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Kathy</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975816856180591244.post-43244913735310060392015-06-04T06:22:00.000-04:002015-06-04T06:22:39.426-04:00What makes me happy?One of the Writers’ Workshop prompts this week is another
list – list ten things that make you happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s see if I can do a better job of completing my list this week since
I kind of fizzled out on last week’s list.<br />
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-Being the loving mother that I am, I must list my pride in
The Boy first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in a gymnasium full
of other proud parents the other night watching our offspring march up to the
stage to receive their high school graduation certificates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Boy is an honour student who received
special commendation in Math, French and English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say that’s a reason to smile!</div>
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-I am just as proud of The Girl for how well she is doing
school as well and am amazed each and every day by what a wonderful young lady
she is turning into.<br />
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-I’m loving the cool weather that we’ve been having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people are griping about the low temps
but I figure that the heat and humidity of our Montreal summer will be hitting
soon enough so I’m definitely not complaining.</div>
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-It turns out that some expenses that I thought were coming
my way are not actually coming so my financial future (at least in the next
couple of months) is looking brighter.</div>
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-I got a great deal on a new television a couple of months
ago and, with the addition of Apple TV to it, I’ve really been enjoying
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a small thing but it makes me
happy.</div>
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-I have a great “to-read” pile of books on my shelf just
waiting for me to enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enough said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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-I have pretty flowers on my balcony that haven’t died
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even three out of four herb plants
are still alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems, though, that
Mother Nature doesn’t like thyme.</div>
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-I managed to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S6 with some of my
tax refund money this spring and it makes me happier than any material thing
should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bills are paid and the
necessary things have been taken care of so no guilt can be attached to this
luxury; just joy </div>
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-Even though I try to use my barbeque for most of the year,
the true season for it is upon us and I love throwing dinner on the grill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s staying light out later and I’m not
freezing my butt off – that’s a win!</div>
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-The kids’ last day of regular classes is this Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, they only have a few final exams
to do and that is the end of school for the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that won’t be hauling their butts
out of bed in the mornings or stressing over having things to pack for their
lunches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be able to just get myself
ready for work in the mornings and leave them to fend for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you hear my sigh of happiness?</div>
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What’s making you happy these days?</div>
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Kathy </div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02202212892774623935noreply@blogger.com12